Strict vigil on activities in China, Pak: Govt

The government on Wednesday said it is keeping a close watch on all activities taking place in China and Pakistan and the threat perception originating from such incidents are reviewed regularly.

In a written reply to Rajya Sabha, Defence Minister A K Antony said, "Government is closely watching all activities of China and Pakistan in the neighbourhood and reviews the threat perception regularly."

He also said measures such as construction of railway lines, roads and airfields have been undertaken in border areas to augment security preparedness of the defence forces.

"Required measures have been initiated through development of infrastructure including rail, roads and forward air fields as well as operational capabilities to achieve desired defence preparedness," Antony said.

China disputes the International Boundary with India as there is no common delineated Line of Actual Control between the two country, he said.

"There are few areas along the border where India and China have different perceptions of LAC including territory in Arunachal Pradesh. Both sides patrol up to their respective perceptions of LAC due to perceived differences in its alignment," the Defence Minister informed the House.

He said the areas along the LAC are kept under constant surveillance by regular patrolling by troops and other means.

"Specific incidents of transgression due to differences in perception of LAC are taken up with the Chinese side through established mechanism such as hot lines, flag meetings, border personnel meeting and normal diplomatic channels," Antony said.

Replying to questions on effect of Chinese presence in South-China sea and Indian Ocean Region, he said government is aware of its participation in IOR in development projects such as ports, anti-piracy operations and deep sea mining.

"China has been staking claim to most of the South-China sea and has disputes with its neighbours on control of Paracel and Spratly islands for determination of Exclusive Economic Zone of the littoral states," Antony said.